Garmin Edge 810 Review

by Wade Wallace

The Garmin Edge 810 is the successor to the Edge 800 which was hugely popular and an excellent upgrade from previous models. With so many features and improvements, it's taken me many weeks to get entirely comfortable with it. But after some heavy use I think I can finally add something constructive to discussions about the Garmin Edge 810.

Garmin’s cycling computer models include the Edge 200, the Edge 510 (recently upgraded from the 500) and the Edge 810. In short, the 810 is Garmin’s most feature-packed computer and it stands apart from those other models with the inclusion of navigational maps.

A few weeks ago we reviewed the Edge 510 and today we’re asking: is it worth forking out an extra couple hundred dollars for the 810 rather than getting the 510? Is it worth upgrading your Garmin 800 for the 810? What do you get for that extra money?

As far as I can tell, the social features are exactly the same as on the 510. The only real difference is the mapping functionality and a slightly larger screen. If you’re familiar with DC Rainmaker’s reviews, you’ll know how incredibly thorough he is. He’s reviewed nearly every GPS on the market and he tends to agree:

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“There’s only one major reason to buy the Edge 810 over the Edge 510 or Edge 500, and that’s maps. Or more specifically, routable maps. Almost every other athletic GPS unit on the market contains some form of GPS track/course functionality, but those utilize breadcrumb trails, and aren’t routable. Breadcrumb means that it’s simply following hundreds or thousands of little markers, without any real understanding that you’re on ‘Main Street’ and turning right on ‘Maple street’. It’s just following little dots. Whereas the Edge 810 supports routable maps, which means it knows that if you missed that turn on Maple street you can instead turn right on Nutcracker street and loop back.”

The 510 uses GPS and GLONASS for quicker satellite acquisition and locking, but the 810 does not. Still, the 810 is noticeably faster to lock on to satellites than my 800. In my experience, the satellite lock seems to happen within only a few seconds with the 810.

From what I can tell, the Edge 810 screen is exactly the same as on the older Edge 800. Same size, same resolution, same colors, same touch sensitivity.

Maps

The EDGE 810 comes with a default map set called Basemap. It shows primary and secondary roads in the country where the unit was sold. Unfortunately this doesn’t provide much value at all for a cyclist who might be needing directions in an unfamiliar city (you won’t want to be riding on busy primary roads). However, it’s probably enough to get you out of trouble if you need some general directions to find your way home.

The maps that are useful are the optional detailed street or TOPO maps including BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. These maps are sold separately (anywhere from $50-$150 and possibly more depending on the map) and you can download them from the Garmin website (you cannot copy these onto another SD card). Because it’s GPS-enabled and its navigation capabilities require no data usage, the Edge 810 will work anywhere in the world.

As far as navigation and user interface goes, the 810 does a reasonable job, but don’t expect the same experience as you’d have with your in-car navigation system. The screen simply isn’t big enough. However, turn-by-turn navigation and detailed maps allow you to get the job done.

The main feature worth thinking about in the Garmin 810 is the navigational maps. Just remember, detailed country maps need to be purchased separately. Shown here are the base maps that come included with the device which only show primary and secondary roads.

LiveTrack

One of the biggest selling points of the Garmin Edge 810 (and the 510) is the social LiveTrack feature, as featured in this slick Garmin ad that did the rounds a couple months back. LiveTrack is the same on both the 810 and the 510 so rather than writing the same thing again, we’ve simply copied what we said in our 510 review.

The LiveTrack concept is relatively simple: you use your smartphone to upload real-time data from your ride so that friends, family, or Jonathan Vaughters can track your progress. In practical terms this means pairing you smartphone with the Garmin 810 via bluetooth and then using the Garmin Connect smartphone app to share the ride, via email, with those you want to track you.

After clicking the link in the email, your followers will see a screen like this:

As you ride, your route is overlaid on the map as a blue line, and your real-time stats (such as speed, distance covered, elevation gain, and so on) are displayed above the map.

We only tested this feature briefly but it does appear to have some promise. If you’re heading out for a long ride in the wilderness, it would be quite useful for loved ones to be able to track your progress so they know you’re ok.

But it also has a handful of shortcomings.

For a start, you need mobile data coverage in order for LiveTrack to work — not ideal if you’re riding somewhere that doesn’t have reception. There’s also the question of phone battery. If I’m doing a ride or event that I want people to be able to follow I’m going to be worried that the Bluetooth and constant data transfer over, say, 10 hours is going to suck my phone battery dry. And in that case, I’m going to do without LiveTrack to ensure that I’ve got enough phone battery so I can call out if something goes wrong.

The other question I have is how often I would use this feature. There’s no doubt the Garmin promo video makes LiveTrack look like a whole lot of fun — and it may be for many of you — but I couldn’t see myself using it often.

We originally hoped that LiveTracker would have the functionality to see your group of riding mates on the device itself. A common problem with small bunch rides in the hills is that one person loses contact and there are a flurry of texts and phone calls trying to locate him or her. Once the Bluetooth connection is set up, using LiveTracker is a piece of cake and you can use your mobile device (Android or iPhone) to track your mates. However, there is a ~30-second delay between location updates which may not make this all that useful, depending on what you’re using it for.

You can use your mobile device to track your mates using LiveTracker.

Being constructive, it would be great to see in-device tracking in the next iteration of LiveTrack — being able to see where your mates are in relation to you could be useful (for tracking that one rider who’s always late) and fun (when smashing your mates in a training ride and seeing how far ahead you are).

It would also be great to see Garmin and Strava work more closely together. To know your time and place up a particular segment right after you’ve ridden it would be a fantastic feature. Auto-upload to Garmin connect is a handy feature which has been implemented in the 510 and 810, but auto-upload to Strava would be very useful.

Summary

There are two main questions I’d be asking if I was in the market for a GPS and undecided between the Garmin 510 or 810, or considering the upgrade from the 800 to 810:

1. Is it worth paying an extra $250 for the 810 over the 510 just for mapping functionality? Well, only you can answer this. I found my Garmin 800 extremely useful while in Europe and elsewhere overseas. For me, I’d definitely pay for this functionality. Just beware, you’ll have to purchase more detailed maps wherever you go (and at home if you want to use the mapping to its full potential)

2. Is it worth upgrading your existing Garmin 800 to the new 810? For me, no. My Garmin 800 has served me well and the LiveTrack and other minor feature improvements aren’t enough to get me to shell out for an upgrade.

Don’t get me wrong — the Edge 810 is definitely a great unit. It’s got all the features you need in a cycling computer — including GPS mapping — and there are certainly improvements over its predecessor. You just need to figure out what the Edge 810 is worth to you.

Note: If you’ve purchased this product and want to add your own thoughts, please login and rate this product against this review in the area below. After three user reviews, an overall average will appear. We feel your contribution adds to a much more balanced and structured product review rather than leaving a comment.

Full Disclosure: None. This device was provided by FirstEndurance Sports for review and it will be returned. Garmin is not advertising on CyclingTips at this time.

Wrap-up

Worth the upgrade?

To put this review into context, we're comparing the Garmin EDGE 810 against its predecessor, the 800 and its lesser sibling, the 510. The Garmin EDGE 810 is an improvement over its predecessor, the 800 with more features - mainly the LiveTrack. What you're mostly getting with the 810 over any of Garmin's lesser models is maps - something that is extremely useful if you're in unfamiliar territory. As with the 800, the 810 is a spectacular little device that's revolutionised the way we ride. Would I recommend you upgrade your 800 to an 810? Definitely not. But if LiveTracker is a feature you can't live without, then the 810 is for you.

GOOD STUFF

Maps are good

Clean interface

Improved battery life over the 800

Lots of new features and functions, including LiveTrack and Virtual Racer (which is an upgrade on the Virtual Partner in previous models)

GPS acquires satellites much more quickly than previous models

Same size and form factor as the 800

Automatic uploads to Garmin Connect

...and much more

BAD STUFF

LiveTrack - is it really that useful? It has great potential, but it's not something I'd use.

LiveTrack requires mobile connectivity (unavoidable, but is a deal-breaker for me).

The other big problem with the
810 is that it does not currently allow Open Street Maps to work. The Garmin maps for Australia are extremely
poor (roads in the Adelaide Hills that have existed for over 20 years do not
show up).

You also have to pay extra for
updates and the maps don’t transfer from unit to unit.

It worked fine, without any piracy. I’ve got http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ maps installed on my 810 as routable bicycle maps. I used garmin map manager (free on mac) to install it across. Takes. Ages.

The issue I have with the 810, is where it autopauses, after a 10 minute or so break and it stops

It seems the 510 is a bigger upgrade over the 500 (touch screen, larger, GLONASS) than the 810 is over the 800. I’m pretty happy with the 800 but I’m not going to upgrade just for the bluetooth/livetrack features. I’ve never found the 800 to be too slow to get a satellite lock. But whoever said the battery lasted 15 hours was dreaming.

Personally I use “life360” app on my phone to enable life tracking. Sure, you don’t get the telemetry data but at least if I am late (and possibly lying in a ditch) getting back my family can find me instantly. Since it tracks the phone, not the Garmin, it can be used on or off the bike such as at a music festival or something to help locate one another.

Personally I use “life360” app on my phone to enable life tracking. Sure, you don’t get the telemetry data but at least if I am late (and possibly lying in a ditch) getting back my family can find me instantly. Since it tracks the phone, not the Garmin, it can be used on or off the bike such as at a music festival or something to help locate one another.

mars

Thanks Wade, this is really useful. I have been contemplating investing but was waiting for some clarity rather than just opinion.

At present I don’t own a HR or mapping device and had been deciding bw the 510 and 810 bit after reading the reviews I’ll be quite comfortable investing in the 810.

Like the 510, the 810 has a serious bug when recording power data. It’s all over the Garmin forums. My rating is 0.0 until this is fixed. I’ve got the 510, it sits on the shelf.

Anonymous

My 800 has been fantastic but the HRM straps are utter shite. I’m on my 3rd one now and it’s started showing the same issues as the previous 2 – they steadily start showing more nonsense data. Pop a new strap on and it’s all perfect again….. for a while. Garmin denies any problem with their straps and is begrudgingly responsive with what amounts to ineffective advice. I got much better service from the people I bought it from, they just replace the strap and informed me that they get a lot of cases like mine…

Anonymous

My 800 has been fantastic but the HRM straps are utter shite. I’m on my 3rd one now and it’s started showing the same issues as the previous 2 – they steadily start showing more nonsense data. Pop a new strap on and it’s all perfect again….. for a while. Garmin denies any problem with their straps and is begrudgingly responsive with what amounts to ineffective advice. I got much better service from the people I bought it from, they just replace the strap and informed me that they get a lot of cases like mine…

The next thing, ensure all of your activities, that you wish to see on strava, are not privacy restricted on garmin connect (the little padlock on each activity has to be unlocked, and your account must not be hidden, change in settings)

What you then do, is go to http://www.garminsync.com and you’ll see on the front page, a choice of tabs, 1. to automatically transfer new activities to strava, and 2. to automatically transfer old activities to strava.

Then what you need to do, is go to garmin connect, select an activity, and you’ll see in the address bar something like http://www.garmin.com/8888888888 copy the number, and place it into the activity id box on the garminsync site, and then click check id, if you have done it right, it’ll come up with a tick, and some info on you, then click the button below ‘connect to strava’, it’ll ask you for your username and password as a once off, and then it’s setup to automatically transfer new activities that appear in garmin connect.

Then click on the ‘automatically transfer old activities’ tab, place in that activity id, set a date range (i.e the date of your first garmin file, and today) and then it’ll go through the same process as above, but load a page that if you refresh you’ll see now many files have been uploaded. It took me around 40 mins to upload 192 files! Obviously if you have these already uploaded to strava, don’t redo it, as it’ll duplicate them.

G32ECS

Live Track is such BS. These apps have existed for a while on Google Play/App Store. Same concept: real time tracking.

I don’t really need the GPS to acquire signals very fast neither. I can wait or just turn it on while I’m getting ready.

I have the 500 and recently got an 800 ($305 Refurb on EBAY w/ 1 year warranty, no accessories) because I’d like to have the mapping capabilities. There are places that my cellular provider do not have coverage so the mapping capabilities should be very handy to me.